DR. THOMAS EDWARD ELLIS, PSYD
Psychologist at Main St, Houston, TX

5690820, Nov 25, 1997

Feb 10, 1997

8/797880

Lawrence F. Becnel - Sugarland TX
Thomas M. Ellis - Houston TX

Texas Brine Corporation - Houston TX

C02F 158

210170

This invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for producing primary treated brine, i. e. <20 ppm calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium ions at the wellhead of underground salt caverns formed by depletion of their salt content by previous solution mining operations. The purified brine produced is maintained in an anerobic state and transported to chlor-alkali plant installations for use in electrolysis cells for the production of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. Raw brine produced at an operating brine wellhead is injected into a depleted salt cavern along with the treatment chemicals required to purify the raw brine. A novel installation including a producing well or wells, a depleted well cavern or caverns, and support facilities for producing primary treated brine is provided. Also, special wellhead injection tubing, a mixer and radial distributor for injecting the fluids into the cavern are employed which allows for the chemical reaction, precipitation, settling and clarification operations to take place in a pre-selected reaction zone in the cavern. The cavern acts as the reactor for precipitation, settler and clarifier and deposition site for storage of the precipitates which are innocuous solid by-products of the purification process.

5637228, Jun 10, 1997

Jan 3, 1995

8/367869

Lawrence F. Becnel - Sugarland TX
Thomas M. Ellis - Houston TX

Texas Brine Corporation - Houston TX

C02F 158

210702

This invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for producing primary treated brine, i. e. <20 ppm calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium ions at the wellhead of underground salt caverns formed by depletion of their salt content by previous solution mining operations. The purified brine produced is maintained in an anerobic state and transported to chlor-alkali plant installations for use in electrolysis cells for the production of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. Raw brine produced at an operating brine wellhead is injected into a depleted salt cavern along with the treatment chemicals required to purify the raw brine. A novel installation including a producing well or wells, a depleted well cavern or caverns, and support facilities for producing primary treated brine is provided. Also, special wellhead injection tubing, a mixer and radial distributor for injecting the fluids into the cavern are employed which allows for the chemical reaction, precipitation, settling and clarification operations to take place in a pre-selected reaction zone in the cavern. The cavern acts as the reactor for precipitation, settler and clarifier and deposition site for storage of the precipitates which are innocuous solid by-products of the purification process.